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Add up to three schools and toggle the stats you care about. All data comes from each school's official Common Data Set.

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American UniversityWashington, DC

Acceptance rate

Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.

65.6%acceptance rate
Applied
20,960
Admitted
13,741
Enrolled
1,545

Early decision

American University offers binding Early Decision. Applying early can meaningfully change your odds — but ED commits you to enroll if admitted.

Early Decision
Binding · I & II
Early Action
Non-binding
Restrictive EA
Not offered

Admit rate by application plan

% admitted
Early Decision80.6%
Regular Decision65.3%

~1.2× higher admit rate applying early.

ED Applications
392
ED Admitted
316

Standardized tests

American University is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.

SAT Accepted?

ACT Accepted?

Test Optional?

SAT Scores

4001600
25th Percentile
1320
50th Percentile
1380
75th Percentile
1440

ACT Scores

136
25th Percentile
30
50th Percentile
32
75th Percentile
33

Class rank

American University does not report this.

Not reported

Admissions factors

How American University weighs each part of your application.

→ Importance

Rigor of High School Record

Academic GPA

Standardized Test Scores

Application Essay

Recommendations

Extracurricular Activities

Character / Personal Qualities

Talent / Ability

First Generation

Level of Applicant's Interest

Class Rank

Volunteer Work

Work Experience

Geographical Residence

State Residency

Alumni Relation

Racial / Ethnic Status

Religious Affiliation

Cost of attendance

Estimated full-time annual cost from American University's Common Data Set.

$87,660
Tuition & Fees
$64,652
Room & Board
$19,696
Other Expenses
$3,312
Total
$87,660

Private universities charge the same tuition regardless of state residency.

What families actually pay

$0–30k~$23k
$30–48k~$20k
$48–75k~$26k
$75–110k~$30k
$110k+~$54k

Average net price — what was left to pay after grant aid — for students receiving federal financial aid.

% of undergrads with Pell grants13.9%

Source: College Scorecard (2026)

Financial aid

Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.

Receiving Aid
53%
Avg. Package
$53,000
Avg. Need Met
88%

Popular majors

Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.

Social Sciences
Business & Marketing
Communication & Journalism
Visual & Performing Arts
Homeland Security & Protective Svcs
Interdisciplinary Studies
Other
Social Sci
33%
Business
12%
Comm/Journ
9%
Arts
6%
Protective Svcs
6%
Interdisc.
6%
Other
28%

Student-faculty ratio

The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.

10:1

Student outcomes

First-years who return87%
Graduate within six years75%
Median earnings, 4 yrs after graduation~$79k
Median federal loan debt at graduation~$23k

Median yearly income of former students who received federal aid, across every major, measured four years after graduating (2017–18 and 2018–19 graduates, earnings measured 2022–2023). Debt covers federal loans of students who completed.

Source: College Scorecard (2026)

Programs

American University’s most popular programs and median pay after graduation. Income data from the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

  • Business Administration & Management

    212 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$88kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$25k median debt
  • Political Science

    194 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$74kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$23k median debt
  • Criminal Justice

    106 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$67kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$23k median debt
  • Psychology

    72 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$62kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$24k median debt
  • Public Health

    61 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$71kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$23k median debt
Show all 23 programs
  • Journalism

    59 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$67kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$25k median debt
  • Economics

    52 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$85kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$22k median debt
  • Finance

    42 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$134kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$23k median debt
  • Environmental Science & Natural Resources

    37 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$64kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$26k median debt
  • Biology

    37 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$34kmedian pay, 1 yr after graduation~$20k median debt
  • Communication & Media Studies

    28 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$68kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$23k median debt
  • History

    27 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$60kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$26k median debt
  • Computer Science

    19 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$117kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation
  • Neuroscience

    15 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Area Studies

    9 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$44kmedian pay, 1 yr after graduation~$25k median debt
  • Mathematics

    9 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

    8 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Fine & Studio Arts

    8 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$35kmedian pay, 1 yr after graduation~$23k median debt
  • Chemistry

    6 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Physics

    6 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Music

    6 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Data ScienceABET accreditedData Science is accredited by ABET, the accreditor for engineering, computing, and applied science programs.

    4 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Philosophy

    4 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation

Median pay data is measured from graduates who received federal student aid.

Source: College Scorecard (2026) · IPEDS (2023-24) · ABET

Campus life

On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.

First-Years On Campus
95%
In Fraternities
N/A
In Sororities
N/A

Place

How the federal government classifies the area around the campus, and what a normal year of weather looks like there.

Setting
Large city
Location
Washington, DC

Average temperature

Monthly high and low, °F
4326J
4627F
5534M
6844A
7654M
8463J
8868J
8666A
7959S
6847O
5636N
4730D
Snow a year
6 in
Precipitation a year
49 in
Days at 90°F or above
44
Days below 32°F
96

Thirty-year averages, measured at the nearest weather station rather than on campus — they describe the area, not the campus.

Source: IPEDS (HD2024) · NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, DALECARLIA RSVR, MD US station, 1.3 mi from campus

Enrollment by gender

38%
62%
Male
2,581
Female
4,149

Student diversity

Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.

White53.9%
Hispanic16.6%
Other11.4%
Black10.2%
Asian and Pacific Islander7.8%
Native American<1%
AmherstAmherst, MA

Acceptance rate

Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.

7.7%acceptance rate
Applied
15,819
Admitted
1,222
Enrolled
485

Early decision

Amherst offers binding Early Decision. Applying early can meaningfully change your odds — but ED commits you to enroll if admitted.

Early Decision
Binding
Early Action
Not offered
Restrictive EA
Not offered

Admit rate by application plan

% admitted
Early Decision22.2%
Regular Decision6.8%

~3.3× higher admit rate applying early.

ED Applications
971
ED Admitted
216

Standardized tests

Amherst is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.

SAT Accepted?

ACT Accepted?

Test Optional?

SAT Scores

4001600
25th Percentile
1470
50th Percentile
1510
75th Percentile
1540

ACT Scores

136
25th Percentile
33
50th Percentile
34
75th Percentile
35

Class rank

Where Amherst's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.

Top tenth of class88%
Top quarter of class96%
Top half of class100%

Based on the 28% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Amherst does not publish an average GPA.

Admissions factors

How Amherst weighs each part of your application.

→ Importance

Rigor of High School Record

Academic GPA

Standardized Test Scores

Application Essay

Recommendations

Extracurricular Activities

Character / Personal Qualities

Talent / Ability

First Generation

Level of Applicant's Interest

Class Rank

Volunteer Work

Work Experience

Geographical Residence

State Residency

Alumni Relation

Racial / Ethnic Status

Religious Affiliation

Cost of attendance

Estimated full-time annual cost from Amherst's Common Data Set.

$94,890
Tuition & Fees
$73,830
Room & Board
$19,260
Other Expenses
$1,800
Total
$94,890

Private universities charge the same tuition regardless of state residency.

What families actually pay

$0–30k~$1k
$30–48k~$2k
$48–75k~$17k
$75–110k~$24k
$110k+~$48k

Average net price — what was left to pay after grant aid — for students receiving federal financial aid.

% of undergrads with Pell grants19.8%

Source: College Scorecard (2026)

Financial aid

Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.

Receiving Aid
57%
Avg. Package
$77,414
Avg. Need Met
100%

Popular majors

Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.

Social Sciences
Mathematics & Statistics
Psychology
Biological Sciences
Computer Science
Other
Social Sci
18%
Math/Stats
13%
Psychology
10%
Bio Sci
8%
CS
8%
Other
43%

Student-faculty ratio

The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.

6.6:1

Student outcomes

First-years who return98%
Graduate within six years93%
Median earnings, 4 yrs after graduation~$79k
Median federal loan debt at graduation~$14k

Median yearly income of former students who received federal aid, across every major, measured four years after graduating (2017–18 and 2018–19 graduates, earnings measured 2022–2023). Debt covers federal loans of students who completed.

Source: College Scorecard (2026)

Programs

Amherst’s most popular programs and median pay after graduation. Income data from the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

  • Economics

    78 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$142kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$17k median debt
  • Computer Science

    48 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$143kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$17k median debt
  • Mathematics

    35 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$124kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$14k median debt
  • Biology

    33 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • English

    26 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$65kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation
Show all 17 programs
  • Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

    24 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Neuroscience

    20 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$38kmedian pay, 1 yr after graduation
  • Chemistry

    20 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Political Science

    16 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$64kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation
  • Fine & Studio Arts

    16 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • History

    14 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$104kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation
  • Environmental Science & Natural Resources

    11 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Area Studies

    11 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$69kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation
  • Physics

    6 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Philosophy

    5 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Earth & Geological Sciences

    5 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Music

    1 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation

Median pay data is measured from graduates who received federal student aid.

Source: College Scorecard (2026) · IPEDS (2023-24)

Campus life

On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.

First-Years On Campus
100%
In Fraternities
N/A
In Sororities
N/A

Place

How the federal government classifies the area around the campus, and what a normal year of weather looks like there.

Setting
Small city
Location
Amherst, MA

Average temperature

Monthly high and low, °F
3414J
3715F
4524M
5834A
7045M
7855J
8360J
8258A
7450S
6239O
5029N
3921D
Snow a year
37 in
Precipitation a year
47 in
Days at 90°F or above
12
Days below 32°F
153

Thirty-year averages, measured at the nearest weather station rather than on campus — they describe the area, not the campus.

Source: IPEDS (HD2024) · NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, AMHERST, MA US station, 1.4 mi from campus

Enrollment by gender

44.6%
55.4%
Male
849
Female
1,055

Student diversity

Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.

White37.2%
Other25.2%
Asian and Pacific Islander15.7%
Hispanic13.5%
Black8.2%
Native American<1%